No Longer Human | Arlecchino

Chapter 8: Under the Bus

Rin blinked, his eyes slowly getting used to the morning sun that streamed in through the window as he sat up gingerly, his body stiff from three months of bed rest. 

Though he felt the usual weight of Ren's presence, his thoughts were intercepted by the sound of a knock on the door. Arlecchino stepped in, her expression unreadable as always, though he did catch a flicker of something else within her eyes, maybe relief.

"Up at last, I see," she said, folding her arms. "Think you're ready to stretch those legs?"

Rin snorted. "Depends if you're going to play guide."

Arlecchino rolled her eyes. "Fine, might as well take a walk after your random coma"

Together, they plunged into Fontaine, threading their way down lively streets where citizens of every station hastened to and fro, their laughter mingling with the burble of fountains and the chime of bells. 

Rin held to easy, light banter, and though cooler in temperament, Arlecchino didn't dismiss him entirely, keeping pace with his step. He glanced her way now and again, observing the way she looked upon Fontaine's labyrinthine waterways and shining architecture with something half-nostalgia, half-aloof calculation.

They moved at a brisk pace through the busy streets of Fontaine, catching the sights and sounds with varying degrees of interest. Arlecchino's gaze was keen, scanning the surrounds for something not quite right, while Rin lingered every now and then to study either the ornate architecture or the people of Fontaine going about their day.

After a moment of silence, Arlecchino spoke, her tone low but to the point. "The Hydro Gnosis. Any idea where it's kept?"

Rin shrugged, he knew well enough it wasn't quite that simple a question. 

"Considering Fontaine's obsession with justice and order, they'd keep something that valuable somewhere. symbolic. Maybe close to the Chief Justice or even within the court itself."


Arlecchino nodded vaguely. "It makes sense. They wouldn't want to hide it in the open, but they'd want it somewhere they can watch over it."

As they turned a corner, Rin caught sight of a grand fountain at the center of a small plaza, the water casting rippling reflections across the buildings around it. He paused briefly, admiring it before glancing back at Arlecchino.

"Fontaine sure has a way with water," he mused. "But no way are they gonna keep something like the Gnosis out here in plain sight."

"Obviously," she replied. "Still, we're here, we take the information available. Fontaine isn't small, and we can't afford a wild chase."

They drove along several landmarks, a courthouse belonging to Fontaine, a busy marketplace, and a serene garden. 

The sound of city hustle and bustle gradually replaced the soft gurgle of a stream nearby as they continued on in silence, until Rin spoke.

"Why pursue Gnosis?" he asked Arlecchino, "The Fatui can function even without it."

She met his gaze with a calculating look. "The Gnosis is power, and power keeps the Tsaritsa's vision alive. That alone is reason enough."

Rin chuckled. "Well, let's hope we get to it before anyone else does. I'd rather not have to explain why it took us so long to locate it."

Arlecchino's eyes narrowed. "That's why I'm here, Harlequin, to keep us on track and away from distractions.

"Distractions?" Ren showed a grin. "Whatever do you mean?"